Reconstructing childhood memories from shards of glass is often the initial inspiration for the work of a Roslea craftswoman from Aughnashammer.
Lydia Smyth MA Applied Arts, BA Hons Art and Design specialises in the creation of exclusive glass design.
She describes her latest jewellery range as 'a fusion of vivid colour, sparkle and intricacy'. In addition to her jewellery range, Lydia also undertakes large architectural and interior projects. Her unique treatment of glass and innovative design has earned commissions for corporate head offices, Art centres and hotels. She has also enjoyed a variety of private commissions, ranging from family homes to solicitors offices.
"Often my work evokes memories of childhood in Northern Ireland and a sense of how communities here co-exist. Glass is the primary material in my work as it captures and holds meanings and narratives in a delicate and elusive way. Often, I'll choose glass to illustrate how fragile and beautiful life is", she explained.
Lydia Smyth holds an Honours degree in Art and Design and an MA in Applied Arts from the University of Ulster. She is currently a resident on Making It: Craft Northern Ireland's Business Start-up Programme at the 'Greenshoots', Business Incubation Centre, Newry Institute. The programme provides her with valuable resources and training to further develop her design concepts, business and marketing plan.
Lydia's work reconstructs childhood memories, celebrating heroes from her past and exploring what the word, "home" has come to mean to her. She also experiments with resins, plastics and mixed media, and explores the properties of newspaper print, a unique technique which sets her work apart.
"It has always been important that the material I work with best suits the concept behind the work. For example, I was keen to explore the contradictions within religious and political dogma. Glass too is a material littered with contradictions. It can for example be solid or liquid, transparent or obscure, smooth or textured, heavy or apparently weightless. Some view it as a most modern phenomenon, while it remains one of the oldest materials still in abundance".
In a large window piece which she uses for her exhibitions, each glass panel holds a specific meaning, memory or message.
"Childhood pictures, letters, adverts, newspaper reports, patterns and abstract images, such as the St. Brigid's Cross fuse national, political, religious, cultural and individual narratives. The piece has been leaded together in such a way as to resemble a patchwork quilt. This reflects our traditional past of rich textile industry in Northern Ireland which is sadly being eroded over the passing of time".
And, she admitted she was keen to explore her own relationship to textiles, having beeen brought up in a family of lace makers, and as a female artist.
Lydia supports the Newry Institute by teaching on-college programmes. This offers opportunities not only to share her skills and techniques with students and staff members, but also to promote the Institute through her work.
She is optimistic that Making It will help her to develop a sustainable business, attractive to buyers and collectors that will set her apart from her competitors.
"I have conducted extensive research into the market in Northern Ireland and discovered a niche for my product here. Also, I believe my work is sufficiently unique and distinctive to compete in the UK and Irish market".
The recent prize giving at St Eugenes College, Roslea, proved to be a special moment in the life of former college student Lydia Smyth when some of the innovative young artists pieces of jewellery were presented to special guest on the day, last year's 'Ulster Rose', Martina Murray.
Lydia finished St Eugene's College in 2000 after completing her A levels.
Malachy McConnell, senior co-ordinator at St Eugene's remembers her well: "It was very pleasing to avail of the creative talents of a past pupil such as Lydia who is making excellent progress in the art and business world. Her success comes as no surprise to us in the college, given her special talents, work ethic and enterprising spirit."
Lydia holds an Honours degree in Art and Design and an MA in Applied Arts from the University of Ulster. She is currently a resident on 'Making It', Craft Northern Ireland's Business Start-up Programme at the 'Greenshoots', Business Incubation Centre, Newry Institute. The Making it programme provides Lydia with valuable resources and training to further develop her design concepts, business and marketing plan. She is also part-time, visiting lecturer at the University of Ulster and artist in residency at Newry and Kilkeel Institute.
